Kirk, a charismatic activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has transformed TPUSA into a dominant force since its founding in 2012.
On September 10, 2025, the conservative world was rocked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) , during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck by a sniper from a nearby rooftop in what Governor Spencer Cox described as a «political assassination» targeting his ideological expression.
At 18, along with Bill Montgomery, a Tea Party activist, Kirk founded the organization to counter «leftist indoctrination» on college campuses.
His focus on open debate, such as the «Prove Me Wrong» style, attracted thousands of young people, promoting free-market values, limited government, and Christian faith.
Under his leadership, TPUSA grew to more than 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters, with an annual budget exceeding $95 million by 2025.
The Utah event was the first stop on TPUSA’s «American Comeback Tour,» a campus tour aimed at energizing conservative Generation Z. About 3,000 attendees, including families and students, were listening to Kirk answer questions about gun violence when the shot rang out.
TPUSA announced it received 54,400 inquiries for new chapters in the six days following the assassination: 27,800 from college students and 26,600 from high school students. Initially, within 48 hours, the number reached 32,000, surpassing 60,000 shortly afterward. «This was Charlie’s vision for America,» TPUSA said in a statement.
Kirk’s podcast , downloaded 500,000-750,000 times daily, and his media network have gained millions of followers.
The increase on YouTube brings his subscriber base to 5 million, up from 3.8 million before his death. His weekly video view count has also increased significantly, rising by 94.1 million.
On Instagram, Kirk’s main account has added 5.6 million followers since his death, nearly doubling its reach to a total of 12.5 million.
TikTok linked to «The Charlie Kirk Show» has attracted 2 million additional followers in just one week. Likes on videos shared on that account have increased by 49.7 million during the same period.
In addition to his digital growth, Kirk’s books are in the top 20 on Amazon, and his podcast has skyrocketed to the number 1 spot in multiple categories.
For her part, Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow and former Miss Arizona USA 2012, took over as CEO on September 18, as he wished.
In his first speech, he promised: «I will not let his legacy die. I will make TPUSA the greatest this nation has ever seen.»
With two young children, Erika quoted the Bible and vowed to continue the campus tour and AmericaFest in December.
Donors like Doug Deason and business organizations have renewed their commitments, fueling TPUSA’s growth.
Kirk, worth $12 million, turned down college for activism, inspiring young people against wokeism.
His death doesn’t halt the mission; it amplifies it, proving that conservatism endures. As Erika said: «In a world of chaos, my husband’s voice will resonate louder.»
The United States needs this turning point to reject the radical left and embrace eternal values.
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